GENERAL ASSEMBLY

&lt;bt&gt;State delegates and senators constitute the state's legislative branch. They draw up the state's budget and pass bills which must be signed by the Governor before they become law. Legislative sessions start in January and last 30 days in odd years and 60 days in even years. There are 100 delegates, 17 representing Fairfax County, and 40 senators, nine representing Fairfax County.

The General Assembly was first convened in Jamestown in 1619, making Virginia's legislature the oldest continuous law-making body in the world.